Island hop in the Visayas and win 1M!

9 days
December 10-18, 2005
Start: Manila
Southern Luzon provinces of Laguna, Batangas and Puerto Gallera
Mindoro
Boracay, Capiz, Iloilo
crossing the Guimaras strait through Negros to Bohol
Finish: Cebu.

In line with efforts to promote domestic tourism, the DOT has launched the second leg of the Island Paradise Adventure Race (IPAR), this time with focus on the islands of Visayas.

The first leg of IPAR was held last May, with 13 teams of 3 members each competing for the one million peso cash prize. Designed as a Motor Car Rally/Adventure Race, teams sped across the Luzon Maharlika Highway for nine days, besting physical and mental challenges that highlighted the different natural, historical, and cultural attractions of each destination. Unique to the race was the fiesta atmosphere in all designated Pit Stops everyday, as participants and onlookers (usiseros are welcome!) explored the provinces of Baler, Aurora, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, and Subic.

For the second leg, teams will do away with their cars and traverse the islands on foot (or boat, as the need arises), with challenges suited for ordinary people who would like a chance to win a million pesos. This makes the race virtually open to run-of-the-mill travel enthusiasts!

In all, teams are expected to stop at around 50 destinations where they will perform challenges highlighting the local attractions. Since this is an inter-island adventure, teams are expected to traverse the Strong Republic Nautical Highway using the RO-RO shipping facilities, which are still something of a novelty.

According to Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, “IPAR is our way of positioning the Philippines as an ideal tourism destination, particularly for adventure enthusiasts as we believe our 7,100 islands have something to appeal to everyone. For the long term, we hope the IPAR program will be institutionalized as an ongoing tourism program, which will attract not only local but foreign adventure enthusiasts as
well.”

Unlike other adventure sports activities which are limited to adventure or extreme sports enthusiasts, tourism officials insist that the IPAR Visayas Leg is open to everyone interested in traveling across the Visayas and discovering the natural beauty, local traditions, and cultural offerings. Of course, competitors have to be physically and mentally fit for the rigors and challenges of a cross-country trek.

The Island Paradise Adventure Race – Visayas Leg is open to teams consisting of 2 members, who should be at least 18 years of age.

FIRST PLACE: PHP 1 MILLION
SECOND PLACE: PHP 200,000
THIRD PLACE: PHP 100,000

Contest organizers are targeting at least 30 participating teams. Application period is from 17 October – 30 November, 2005.

Race details:
The race course is set along more than 2,000 km adventure terrain covering towns, cities, caves, mountains, coastlines and the open sea in what promises to become the premier racing event in the country. The race will highlight the culture, traditions, and tourism spots of the different regions of the Visayas. Activities include trail running sections, rubber tubing, trekking, swimming, paddling, rope sections, traditional games and a few other surprises.

Teams of two racers each will race on a stage format for nine days, with a different start and finish everyday.

Registration fee of P3,000 includes the official IPAR jersey, souvenir shirt, and the adventure of a lifetime.

MANDATORY EQUIPMENT LIST:

To be carried at all times when racing:
Basic First Aid Kit and personal medications
Individual flash lights or head lamps with extra batteries
Swimming goggles (at least 1 pair)
Pair of full finger gloves for each member
Paper and pen
Food provisions
Pocket knife (at least 1)
Digital camera (at least 1)
Video camera (at least 1)
Personal Identification Card

(available in sports and mountaineering shops)
Individual ANSI-approved helmet
Individual Personal flotation device (life jacket)
1 set rappelling equipment (1 seat harness, 3 locking carabineer, 1 abseiling/descending device, 2 slings for cows tail)
Individual hydration system

(available in car shops)
Individual inflated tire tubes for rubber tubing (at least 1 meter in diameter)

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT:

Camping tent
Sleeping bags

For more details, call Hussein, Travis or Pepe at 524-1997, (0928) 797-7904, or email ipar_dot@yahoo.com.

Registration form and updated race info sheet now available at www.wowpinoy.net.